Sport
9 February, 2026
Chillagoe cowboy Australian champ
CHILLAGOE cowboy Kytte Curley is now an Australian Champion after taking out the 11-U14 mini bull ride at the ABCRA National Finals Junior Rodeo in Tamworth recently.
It was one special weekend for the young cowboy, celebrating his 14th birthday on the day he won the Championship, in his first year of rodeo competition no less.
The Junior Rodeo Finals saw the nation’s top 15 competitors across a range of rodeo events fight it out in an action-packed, three-day event – all chasing the coveted Australian Champion buckle.
Curley led the field for his age group heading into the finals after accumulating plenty of points at rodeos throughout last year. Each competitor was tasked with riding three bulls over the weekend, with Curley managing to stick one of his rides.
But with his lead heading into event, and the points from his one qualified ride, the Chillagoe cowboy was able to maintain top spot and come up trumps.
“To be honest, it still hasn’t really kicked in,” he said, speaking to being a national champion.
“When I found out I won, I was really excited and overwhelmed – it didn’t feel real. It was my first time (at the finals), so it was pretty nerve wracking, but after the first round on the first day my nerves settled down a bit.”
Curley’s mother Jolene Bailey said she and the family were extremely proud of Kytte.
“Kytte came to us at the beginning of the season with a clear goal – to win a buckle,” she said.
“We encouraged him to use this year mainly for experience, as it was his first year competing. After narrowly missing out on the NQ Title and finishing second, he reset his focus and set his sights on winning the Australian Championship buckle instead.
“He took on an after-school job at the engineering shop here in Dimbulah to help cover travel expenses down south, showing maturity well beyond his years.
“I’m not only proud of him for winning, but for the dedication, hard work, and determination he showed to see it through. His father, brother Kaseton, and I, were all lucky enough to be there to watch him compete. I’m usually pretty calm, but my anxiety was through the roof – and hiding it from him wasn’t easy.”
The young cowboy said he’d fallen in love with the adrenaline rush, the challenge, and the friendship that comes along with sport, and he’s looking forward to another year of competition.
